An Invisible Threat
Air pollution is one of the greatest challenges to public health – especially for children.
Current studies and reports reveal alarming figures: One in four children in Germany suffers from health issues caused by poor air quality. Figures like these highlight the necessity and urgency of implementing innovative solutions in urban areas to sustainably improve air quality. This is also emphasized by DAK CEO Andreas Storm: “The numbers and the currently high levels of fine particulate matter in many regions of Germany are a clear signal: we need greater attention to health and climate issues.”
Data from the European Environment Agency also reveal “shocking figures: more than 1,200 children and adolescents die every year in Europe due to air pollution.“
Copyright: GettyImages_MarKord/DAK-Gesundheit
Why Are Children Particularly Vulnerable?
Air pollution affects everyone, but some are impacted more severely than others.
Among the most vulnerable and at-risk groups are people with pre-existing conditions, the elderly, and children. Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution because their lungs, brains, and immune systems are still developing. Their airways are more permeable. Additionally, children breathe faster than adults, which means they inhale more air – and therefore more pollutants – relative to their body weight.
Health Problems Caused by Air Pollution: A Worrying Trend
According to a representative Forsa survey of parents and children conducted as part of the DAK Children’s and Youth Report, 25% of children in Germany suffer from health problems caused by air pollution.
The UNICEF report „Danger in the air: How air pollution can affect brain development in young children“ (2017) lists several global impacts:
- Health Risks: The most common issues include headaches, respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and asthma, reduced lung function, circulatory and sleep problems, as well as (chronic) coughing and allergic reactions.
- Impact on Brain Development: Pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, cause inflammation, and impair brain development. This can lead to cognitive deficits, concentration difficulties, behavioral problems, and lower IQ levels.
- Long-Term Consequences: Children growing up in polluted environments face an increased risk of developmental delays, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and reduced educational opportunities.
Children in urban areas are particularly affected, where pollution from traffic, industry, and heating systems is especially high (cf. DAK-Gesundheit). “Children and adolescents in large cities are more frequently affected than boys and girls in smaller towns”. While 23% of parents reported that their children had experienced health problems due to poor air quality in the past six years, 32% of children confirmed this themselves. Despite these figures, 87% of parents and 83% of children rate air quality in Germany as “very good” or “rather good”.
As early as 2018, the ÄrzteZeitung warned that air pollution is “by no means just a problem of developing countries”, but that “even in high-income countries, every second child under the age of five is exposed to particulate matter levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines“.
Photo: Rene Bernal from Unsplash
According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), “shocking figures” have also been recorded for Europe as a whole. As reported by Focus in March 2025: “High air pollution with pollutants such as fine particulate matter causes the premature death of more than 1,200 children and adolescents in Europe every year. Additionally, it significantly increases the risk of diseases such as asthma later in life for young people.”
Air Pollution in Germany: Limits and Reality
In recent years, the European Union has tightened air pollution limits to better protect public health. However, a report by the German Environmental Aid (Deutschen Umwelthilfe (DUH)) shows that Germany continues to exceed these limits in many regions. Particularly problematic is the lack of transparency from the federal government, which obscures the true extent of air pollution (cf. Deutsche Umwelthilfe). “Problems with excessive pollutant levels often occur primarily in cities.”
The Tagesschau reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended significantly stricter limits for fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides as early as 2021. However, these values are still not being met across Germany, endangering the health of millions – especially children (cf. Tagesschau).
“The WHO guidelines are significantly stricter than the EU limits.”
Photos: Leo Rivas, Farid Ershad & Robert Collins from Unsplash
Increased Attention and Innovative Solutions
A study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in 2024 showed that improvements in air quality through environmental zones had positive effects on mental health, educational outcomes, and social equity – in addition to the ecological benefA study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (Deutschen Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung e.V., DIW) in 2024 showed that improvements in air quality through environmental zones had positive effects on mental health, educational outcomes, and social equity – in addition to the ecological benefits.
- Diagnoses of depression decreased by 3.5%, anxiety disorders dropped by 4.2%, and specialist visits to psychiatrists and psychotherapists fell by 7.4%. Prescriptions for antidepressants also declined.
- Following the introduction of environmental zones, the proportion of primary school students transitioning to secondary schools (Gymnasium) increased, leading to the conclusion that better air quality enhances children’s cognitive performance and learning ability.
- Environmental zones improve the quality of life in urban areas, which are often inhabited by lower-income populations. As a result, inequalities in education and health can be reduced.
According to EEA environmental and health expert Gerardo Sanchez, two approaches can help: The most effective way to better protect children is to reduce air pollution directly at its source, such as in transportation, industry, and heating systems. Additionally, it is advisable to specifically improve air quality around schools and kindergartens, for example, by creating more green spaces.
This was confirmed by the global UNICEFreport, which recommended measures such as reducing air pollution, implementing protective measures for children by improving air quality in schools and residential areas, increasing access to green spaces, enhancing ventilation systems, and raising awareness and monitoring among parents and communities.
Photos: Daiga Ellaby, Jon Tyson & Ryan Jacobson from Unsplash
The problem of air pollution and heat affects everyone – but some are impacted more severely than others. In addition to individuals with pre-existing conditions and the elderly, young children in daycare centers, as well as schoolchildren, are particularly sensitive to high temperatures and air pollutants and require special protection. However, educational institutions such as schools are often located in city centers, surrounded by roads. Moreover, schoolyards are typically paved areas with little greenery or shade-providing trees, as traditional greening is often difficult to implement and maintain.
Plant-Based Climate Systems for Everyone – Especially the Youngest
We aim to provide clean and fresh air for those most affected by air pollution – in locations where as many people as possible can benefit from clean and cool air.
To sustainably improve air quality in cities, innovative approaches are essential. Green City Solutions has developed groundbreaking technology with its moss filters, which effectively remove pollutants from the air. These filters not only offer a powerful solution for improving air quality but also contribute to climate adaptation. They cool the surrounding temperature, increase humidity, and create green oases in urban spaces.
Particularly in heavily polluted areas such as schoolyards, Code Playgrounds, and residential neighborhoods, moss filters can make a significant contribution to promoting health and well-being.
Photo: Markus Spiske from Unsplash
From school-related projects in Germany and the UK, Green City Solutions has already gained extensive experience and received positive feedback from both parents and children regarding their fresh air concepts for school environments.
“The innovative and natural solution, the world’s first active moss-based air filter, delivers the same effect as 81 trees on a footprint of just 9 m², with a cooling capacity of up to 6,500 W/h. This not only sustainably cleans the surrounding air of pollutants but also cools it by up to 4°C on hot summer days. We are very pleased that the installations near schools and daycare centers in Schönefeld contribute to improving the learning environment for a particularly vulnerable group“, says Peter Sänger, CEO and co-founder of Green City Solutions.
For example, schoolyard areas are “typically compacted, and traditional greening is difficult to implement and maintain,” explains the founder. “Using moss to cool and clean the air for educational institutions has been a dream scenario for us from the beginning. Children want to be outside, regardless of whether the sun is shining. Especially during lunch breaks, temperatures can become extreme. We create spaces where children can spend time and recover outdoors – particularly in places where planting trees is not a viable alternative.”
Photos: GCS
“”Breathe Easy at Nikolaus-Ehlen-Gymnasium”
“We must address the increasingly tangible changes in the climate with innovative ideas”, said Dirk Lukrafka, Mayor of the City of Velbert, in August 2021.
Photos: GCS
“The CityTree is really cool because it cleans the air, so we can breathe clean air and play”, said one student.
“Our mission is to provide a solution for heavily polluted urban areas, so as many people as possible can breathe clean air”, explained Peter Sänger, co-founder and CEO of Green City Solutions. “And we are especially pleased that, in this case, children are the ones benefiting most from the improved air quality.”
Photos: GCS
Together for Clean Air
The alarming figures on the health burden of children caused by air pollution highlight the urgent need for action. In addition to political measures and stricter regulations, innovative technologies are a crucial component in sustainably improving air quality in urban areas where many people live and work.
The health of our children and future generations depends on how we address the challenges of air pollution today. It is time to take responsibility and work together for clean air.
Photos: GCS & Benjamin from Unsplash